Hastert formally leaves Congress

He says timing can cut election costs

Former House Speaker Dennis Hastert resigned from Congress Monday, formally setting in motion a rare special election to succeed him.

The veteran lawmaker said the timing of his resignation was based on the advice of attorneys, with the aim of saving taxpayers money on election costs.

Hastert suggested the special primary election to fill out the remainder of his term could be held on Feb. 5, the same day as Illinois' regular primary election, which will decide nominees for Hastert's long-term replacement as well.

The former speaker said he also decided to step down now because his interests in developing new national energy policies were being sidetracked in the Democratic-controlled Congress, which is focused on the presidential election campaign.

"I wanted to get some energy policy done, but everything is being done behind closed doors on a partisan basis," Hastert told the Tribune. "You know, it seems to get tougher as we move into a presidential election year, and so I figured it was time for me to go out and live the rest of my life."

Under state law, it's up to Gov. Rod Blagojevich to call a special election, and he has to set the date within five days of Hastert's resignation, which took effect at 10:59 p.m. Monday. By law, the seat must be filled within 120 days.

If Blagojevich chooses, there could be two primaries for Hastert's seat on Feb. 5 -- one for the short-term vacancy and one for the term that begins in January 2009. Just as for the regular primary, candidates will have to file candidacy petitions to get on the special primary ballot.

The dual nature of the campaigning -- for the special election and the regular primary -- may become costly for candidates, who will be forced to intensify their efforts because it is unlikely that a primary voter would vote for two separate candidates for the same office to cover different time spans.

Hastert said he had no immediate career plans but expects to devote time to creating the Hastert Center for Economics, Government and Public Policy at Wheaton College, his alma mater. The school also will house a library collection of his congressional papers.

Hastert, the longest-serving GOP House speaker, said he had not explored job opportunities because of the potential for conflicts of interest while still a member of Congress.

"I'm going to talk to some folks. I may serve on some boards. I really don't know," Hastert said. But, he said, he had no plans to eventually lobby his former colleagues after what he said was a two-year ban on such activities by ex-House members.

Hastert also said he has not decided on whether to endorse a potential successor among the Republican field.